How my Cultural-Self Study can inspire my students to become stronger in their education journey!
"My childhood was a sheltered one. I am the youngest of three girls. My oldest sister was 13 when I was born and my middle sister was 6 years old. Having two older sisters, I didn’t have to want for too much and I honestly think this was a hindrance for me as a child. I had to learn to do things for myself at an older age than most children. However, I did catch up but in the process I had to undergo tests from my doctor to prove I wasn’t developmentally delayed even though my speech was on target.
I was the product of a couple who thought their family was planned but then God decided I needed to complete this family. The reason for a baby later in life makes everyone happy and easy on the side of the baby. However, children are learning to develop and Erickson points that out in the developmental theory and children need to go through all of those stages themselves. Otherwise, it can cause developmental delays. While I was learning to speak, walk, and become independent I watched what everyone around me did and tried to imitate those habits.
My values that I grew up with was love of God, family, and country. I was taught manners, kindness, and respect. So far, nothing that I was taught I have rejected. As an adult, I still rely on my faith for my daily life. I believe that if you deposit in people with kindness and respect your withdrawals will be positive.
The only uncomfortable situation I can remember is a class at Columbia College earlier in my career where I could not make a certain professor happy with anything I was doing, turning in, etc. After being very uncomfortable in class and not appreciating some of the comments made towards me I went to my advisor and also spoke to a Dean and decided best to drop the class and take it again under another professor. I had been warned by my mom and oldest sister how they had similar situations at Columbia College during their time here, but did not think this was actually happen to me. However, I tried, sought advice, and made the decision that I felt was best for me and my educational career.
In the process of tried to weigh my decision I did deal with the thought of this professor being from a different culture from me and wondering if that was the breakdown. I think I went about it in a respectful manner and am happy with what I did.
I don’t remember anything as in pages 60-63 that happened to me in my educational journey; however, I have witnessed it happening to other people. I have often thought about different scenarios as a future teacher. I am not they type of person to jump to the negative initially as in the scenario of the two latino girls. I honestly think it was more of a cultural conversation and helping each other. But in a situation of a loud disturbance would cause me to result to some negative talk and redirection and potentially discipline. No one should jump to the negative on the first response. Everyone deserves a chance of respect and mutual communication."